I have been an employee at NLH/UMB, now NMBU since 1983, with the exception of the  year I worked in the Norwegian Ministry of Environment in 1993-94.

My master's degree was in Horticultural Sciences, with my thesis on tissue culture of Christmas begonia in 1983. I defended my PhD (Dr. Scient) in 1989 on mass propagation of foliar plants in tissue culture. Simce then, I have been expanding my biotechnology interests into genetic modifications, use of biotechnology to study particular developemental processes, such as the formation of somatic embryos (clonal seeds) in bioreactors and the process of abscission of floral parts; an important process to retain high yields or ornamental value. At present, we turn towards gene editing in response to the need for novel genotypes for Norwegian plant production.

Since 2013, I have also tuned my interests into the field of urban agriculture, from my horticultural background into the whole circular economy of recycling resources and producing food and ornamentals in urban areas in recycled waste. One aim to reduce the amount of peat as growth medium in horticulture.

At present I am leading the National Centre for Urban Agriculture (NCUA) at NMBU and I am a member of the Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board (2019-2023).